Gravy Train Charity Event for the Victims of the Earthquake in Haiti @ Tokyo, Tues, January 19

An estimated 200,000 people in Haiti have lost their lives after a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake stuck only 10 miles away from the nation's capital, Port-au-Prince, on Wednesday, January 13, 2010. Our immediate support is needed in order to provide relief and create a long-term system for recovery, rebuilding, and healing.

Yéle Haiti, "a grassroots movement that builds global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports, the arts and environment," has formed an alliance with Americares, Friends of the World Food Program, ONEXONE, the Pan American Development Fund, Airline Ambassadors, and the Belinda Stronach Foundation to coordinate the "delivery of emergency services and materials needed by victims of the earthquake in Haiti."

The Tokyo-based jazz, lounge, folk, gospel, blues and bossa nova inspired band The Gravy Train will be holding a charity concert at Ebisu's What the Dickens this Tuesday to raise funds for the earthquake victims. All proceeds will be donated to the Yéle Haiti Relief Fund.

Frontman Kev Gray on his band's decision to contribute to the efforts in Haiti:

My band decided to put on a free gig to try to raise money, but more importantly more public awareness of how to donate money. Ultimately, we would like to raise some cash - 10 000 yen is like 100 000 yen in Haiti - and send it to the relief fund called Yele Haiti which deals directly with people there. We will have a raffle, though we are a bit short on prizes, so anyone with a big wine cellar would be welcome to share it. It's all very short notice but the best we could do.

According to tweets by Democracy_Now:

There is no interaction with community leaders, people on the street by large aid orgs and UN. Aid is not getting to those who need it most.

Perhaps donating to smaller organizations that are familiar with community organizers in Haiti, like the Yele Relief Fund, will be the most effective way to ensure that aid reaches the people instead of being lost in chaos.

If you can't make it to the charity event on Tuesday but would like to make a donation to the Yele Relief Fund, click here for more details. Other Haiti earthquake relief organizations can be found in this USA Today report.

LOVIN’ HAITI NIGHT
Tuesday 19th January 2009
What The Dickens, Ebisu
http://www.dickens.jp
Free Entry, Raffle, and Live Music from The Gravy Train
All Voluntary Donations go to the Yéle Haiti Relief Fund

-Posted by Jen Teeter